Bulk loading on used canisters

[traveler_101]

Has anyone ever tried bulk loading onto used canisters? I found this "handy-dandy" youtube video showing how to tape the film onto a leader or flap of film left on the used canisters. I find it is easy enough to leave a leader when I cut the film after loading it on the developing reel and have started saving canisters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eqnuilNnAM

 

[Bill Clark]

I use metal re-loading cassettes.

Like these:

http://www.freestylephoto.biz/183125-Arista-35mm-Metal-Reloadable-Cartridge-25-pack


Haven't worn any out. I use them over and over.

------

I notice plastic cassettes are available which I don't use.

 

[znapper]

i always use my old canisters for bulk, been saving them for years, so I have a good supply ^^

The reusable ones are not very good, since they accumulate dirt, which will scratch your film after a while.

 

[mpaniagua]

Yeah I do it all the time 🙂. Some of my empty cassettes date back to the 70's and I keep using them. Have some from Panatomic-X that I have reloaded like a 100's times.

Really easy to do.

Also have a Leica cassete and some like the ones Bill posted.

Regards.

Marcelo

 

[jim0266]

Back when I shot B&W bulk film I used to go to 1 hour labs and get the canisters they were throwing away. I would wrap the tape under the film. I used them once then pitched them. Never had one detach.

 

[Colin Corneau]

Count me in as well for re-using film cassettes for bulk film.

Works a charm, never had a problem.

 

[pschauss]

I used the same batch of Kalt reloadable canisters for years without any problems with scratched film. After I had one pop one when I dropped it, I decided to retire my Kalts and ordered some from Freestyle. I have reused most of them several times without any problems.

FWIW, I use a loop of masking tape to hold the end of the film to the spool. This probably helps to clean the felt as I start to wind the film into the cartridge.

 

[Fixcinater]

I've done similar, no issues with dirt/dust but I haven't used them 1000s of times either.

 

[maddoc]

I do it exactly in the same way as shown in Jim`s photos below. My M7 has the DX reader so those canisters with DX code are handy.

Back when I shot B&W bulk film I used to go to 1 hour labs and get the canisters they were throwing away. I would wrap the tape under the film. I used them once then pitched them. Never had one detach.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Why bother? Reloadable cartridges are easier, not expensive, and last for many uses.

Once years ago a power winder ripped the film out of a bulk loaded cartridge, breaking the masking tape.
Since then I use 3M Scotch Super 33+ electrical tape. Besides remaining flexible at all temperatures and
having a bit of "give" if necessary (see above) it comes off perfectly clean, leaving no adhesive residue.

Chris

 

[traveler_101]

Back when I shot B&W bulk film I used to go to 1 hour labs and get the canisters they were throwing away. I would wrap the tape under the film. I used them once then pitched them. Never had one detach.

Does it matter what kind of tape is used? I see here Jim is using transparent tape. Others seem to use masking tape or even specifically blue masking tape.

 

[nhchen]

I don't have a bulk film nloader so I found it very hard to line up the new film to the old one perfectly so they both straight, especially in a changing bag. I ended up first feeding some of the film into the cassette first so this way it's always perfectly straight. Then I just tape it to the old film.
Nathan

 

[Sid836]

I do the same and I have been wondering, is there any way to save that last frame on the roll? It seems that once in a while, my best shot is on that frame.

 

[HuubL]

Once every 36 rolls?

 

[grouchos_tash]

I don't think I'll be bothering with bulk loading anymore. I have re-loadable cassettes and the last 3 rolls I've developed have had scratches on them (in different places so I ruled out the bulk loader itself). I've tried reusing old cassettes and that worked just as well and tbh gave me more peace of mind that they wouldn't pop open (like Peter above).

I also found that the edges of the first five frames of every bulk loaded film are fogged (not into the image area though). I can't work out how that might be happening though. I bought my re-loadable cassettes from eBay.

 

[Ronald M]

I don't think I'll be bothering with bulk loading anymore. I have re-loadable cassettes and the last 3 rolls I've developed have had scratches on them (in different places so I ruled out the bulk loader itself). I've tried reusing old cassettes and that worked just as well and tbh gave me more peace of mind that they wouldn't pop open (like Peter above).

I also found that the edges of the first five frames of every bulk loaded film are fogged (not into the image area though). I can't work out how that might be happening though. I bought my re-loadable cassettes from eBay.

Clean the cassette before loading. Store in Zip Lock bags to keep them clean.

 

[Doug]

When I reloaded commercial film cassettes I periodically cleaned the fuzz with a small hand-held vacuum cleaner, never had any trouble with dirt.

 

[kiemchacsu]

I collect used canisters from lab for bulk loading.

The only issue is sometimes films advancing is quite stiff in the first few frames.

In fAct, bulk loaded film never as smoothly winding as manufactured one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mr_Flibble]

I used to reload cartridges like described by the OP. But these days I bulkload reloadable Kaiser cartridges.

 

[johannielscom]

The old Ilford cassettes can be reloaded forever, they have a detachable bottom. Pops off and back on easily. I have a couple of them but they sit unused. I own 4 FILCA cassettes for the little Leica II, and don't need more.